Call for Applications: GFF x CIVIC VOICES Subgrants

Deadline: 07-Oct-2026

The GFF x CIVIC VOICES initiative is providing subgrants to partnerships of local civil society organizations (CSOs) and youth-led organizations in 20 African countries to strengthen advocacy, civic engagement, health financing accountability, and health and nutrition outcomes for women, children, and adolescents. The initiative will provide up to US$3.35 million in total funding, with individual grants of up to US$150,000 in most participating countries and up to US$175,000 in Kenya and Nigeria. Selected partnerships will also receive advocacy training, technical assistance in budget analysis, and mentorship for grant periods of up to 18 months. The GFF x CIVIC VOICES initiative is part of the GFF x CIVIC Platform and is implemented by the VOICES consortium, comprising: PATH African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) Organisation of African Youth (OAY) The initiative seeks to strengthen the role of local civil society and youth-led organizations in health policy, financing, accountability, and civic participation. The programme focuses particularly on reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH+N).

Programme: GFF x CIVIC VOICES

Funding type: Subgrants

Total funding available: Up to US$3,350,000

Maximum grant: Up to US$150,000 in most countries

Maximum grant in Kenya and Nigeria: Up to US$175,000

Maximum grant period: 18 months

Target applicants: Partnerships of local CSOs and youth-led organizations

Geographic focus: 20 African countries

Main focus: Health financing advocacy, accountability, civic engagement, and RMNCAH+N

Additional support: Advocacy training, technical assistance, budget-analysis support, and mentorship

The initiative is open to eligible partnerships operating in the following countries: Burkina Faso Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Côte d’Ivoire Democratic Republic of the Congo Ethiopia Ghana Guinea Kenya Liberia Malawi Mali Mozambique Nigeria Rwanda Sierra Leone Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe The funding limits differ by country. Most participating countries have a maximum subgrant amount of US$150,000, while Kenya and Nigeria have a maximum of US$175,000. The programme is specifically designed for partnerships rather than individual organizations. Eligible applicants must generally be partnerships consisting of two to three local organizations, with: At least one youth-led organization in the partnership. Organizations legally registered in the country where the project will be implemented. Organizations that are operational in the country of implementation. Demonstrated experience in health financing advocacy. Experience in civic engagement. Experience in coalition-building or collaborative advocacy. Applicants should carefully review the official call documentation for additional organizational, partnership, financial, and eligibility requirements.

RMNCAH+N refers to:

Reproductive health Maternal health Newborn health Child health Adolescent health Nutrition The initiative focuses on strengthening advocacy and accountability around policies, financing, and services affecting these areas. Proposals must address two core objectives. The first objective is to improve coordination and alignment among civil society and youth-led organizations working on RMNCAH+N.

Activities can include:

Establishing coordination mechanisms. Strengthening existing coalitions. Developing joint advocacy agendas. Improving collaboration among CSOs and youth organizations. Sharing evidence and advocacy resources. Creating platforms for joint action. Supporting cross-country learning. The goal is to help organizations work collectively rather than pursuing disconnected advocacy efforts. The second objective focuses on increasing domestic resource investment and accountability for RMNCAH+N at the national and/or subnational level.

Potential activities include:

Advocacy around health planning and budgeting. Monitoring government health budgets. Promoting increased domestic investment. Conducting budget analysis. Disseminating evidence. Engaging policymakers and government officials. Supporting community participation in financing decisions. Advocating for greater accountability in health spending.

Participating in government-led health platforms

Projects should contribute directly to the programme’s two core objectives. Creating or strengthening CSO coordination platforms. Building youth-led advocacy networks. Developing joint advocacy strategies. Supporting community participation in policy processes. Conducting health budget and expenditure analysis. Advocating during government planning and budgeting processes. Producing and disseminating research and evidence. Engaging government-led health-sector platforms. Supporting dialogue between communities and policymakers. Strengthening accountability mechanisms. Sharing lessons and approaches across participating countries. Activities should demonstrate a clear connection to health financing, civic engagement, accountability, and RMNCAH+N outcomes. Many countries continue to face challenges related to health financing and the capacity of health systems to deliver essential services. The initiative identifies several related challenges, including: Persistent underinvestment in health. Limited domestic budget allocations. Declining external health financing. Weak health systems. Limited civic participation in health financing decisions. Gaps in accountability. Insufficient coordination among civil society organizations. The programme seeks to strengthen local organizations so they can bring community priorities and evidence into health policy and financing processes. Youth participation is a central requirement of the initiative. Every applicant partnership must include at least one youth-led organization. Youth-led organizations can contribute to: Community engagement. Policy advocacy. Civic participation. Evidence dissemination. Coalition-building. Accountability initiat